WEMBLEYYY, WEMBLEYYY

Leeds make it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1987.

It's been a long time since Leeds have done anything close to threatening in the cups; 23 years have passed since our last quarter final appearance (which was not a happy occasion), and 39 years since we reached the last four.

FA Cup Disappointment

Within that time we've lost to all manner of lower league opposition, including Salisbury, Histon, and Newport. Even at the height of our footballing power, we've flattered to deceive in the FA Cup. A solitary win is a massive underachievement, but underachievement has been an unfortunate plague in the clubs history. We should've and could've won more.

A Favourable Draw in Unfavourable Surroundings

On paper, and to the neutrals eye, an away tie against a struggling West Ham looked like Leeds best chance in a generation to progress to the business end of the cup. Leeds fans know better, though.  Winning away in London is something that has often evaded us as a team - even with 9,000 of our own fans in attendance against poor opponents.

When the draw was made, fear nor excitement were particularly evident amongst the fan base. Had the tie been at Elland Road I think the prevailing feeling would've been one of confidence, but travelling to London is a different matter. The lack of overall enthusiasm was due to the fact pretty much every Leeds fan has zero expectation of actually winning the FA Cup, and we all know there are other considerably sized fish to fry.

The FA Cup's Declining Relevance

The FA Cup has become much maligned in the modern era, as more and more teams fail to take it seriously until the latter stages; even teams with nothing to play for and lower league teams field weakened line-ups such is the importance placed on league finishes. The old, storied 'magic' has been lacking.

Tanaka is a Classy Presence in Midfield

This game may not have had a classic giant-killing, but it definitely didn't lack drama - drama at our expense. Leeds started the game sharper, with Tanaka looking very tidy in midfield. He's not played a lot this season, with the more defensive Gruev often chosen ahead of him. But in terms of technical skill and ability to progress the ball between phases there's really no comparison between the two.

Leeds Score First Before Adding a Second from the Spot

Fittingly, it was Tanaka who opened the scoring for Leeds when he showed quick feet in the box to finish off the move that he himself started back in midfield. Leeds should've had a penalty before half-time when Anton Stach was recklessly brought down by Max Kilman after seeing his shot saved by Areola. Apparently, getting a shot away gives defenders carte blanche to commit assault.

Unfortunately, it would be Stach's last action due to the injury sustained in said assault, but fortunately Kilman wasn't quite done yet. The West Ham defender seemed intent on conceding a penalty and his wish was granted with 15 minutes to go. Just when West Ham were building pressure, Brenden Aaronson burst into their box, on the end of a Willy Gnonto pass, only to be scythed down by Kilman. It wasn’t a dangerous tackle like the one involving Stach, and, in fact, on initial viewing it looked like an excellent challenge. Aaronson was quickly on his feet and appealing, and when the replays came, it was apparent why. Kilman had managed to lunge over the ball without touching it before bringing down Aaronson.

Thankfully, after consulting VAR, the referee pointed to the spot. It was an obvious penalty, but as we'd already seen, that doesn't necessarily lead to the decision being made. Calvert-Lewin, not long on the pitch, stepped up and vanquished any demons he may have had after missing a penalty against Palace. 2-0 with 15 mins to go.

Everything Falls apart in Added Time

Leeds were looking relatively comfortable. However, when the 4th official inexplicably indicated that there'd be 11 minutes of added time, it rattled Leeds and galvanised West Ham. With 2 minutes into added time, and with the London Stadium half empty, West Ham gave themselves a lifeline when Fernandes prodded home after Bowen's initial curling drive came back off the post. All of a sudden the fans, who were so eager to leave, came crawling back to their seats. West Ham smelled blood; it didn't take them long to get the equaliser.

This time Adama Traore (who I swear only ever plays well against Leeds) crossed for Disasi to put the ball past Perri with his incredibly high foot, almost taking Struijk's head off in the process. It was another of those where if it happens anywhere else on the pitch it's definitely a foul. Of course, VAR didn't see fit to intervene and West Ham had their equaliser after looking dead and buried only a few minutes before. It was a gut punch for Leeds, who should really have seen the game out.

Extra-Time Fails to Find a Winner

In extra-time both teams had chances to win it; West Ham had a goal ruled out for offside, and Leeds had a shot blocked on the line. But, the deadlock remained and the match went to penalties.

Struijk Sends Leeds to the Semis

The shoot-out didn't start well for Leeds as Joel Piroe's tame effort was saved by West Ham's young substitute 'keeper, Finlay Herrick. Perri then saved from Bowen to cancel out Piroe's miss, before later saving again from Pablo. That left Struijk with the chance to send Leeds to semis; he duly obliged with a sweetly hit strike that hit the inside of the post on its way in. The 9,000 fans (who didn't leave early - unlike their cockney counterparts) erupted. What a moment. The first semi-final in 39 years, and you could see what it meant.

Chelsea: Nothing to Fear

We quickly learned that our semi-final opponents would be Chelsea, a team who we have plenty of history with in the FA Cup. It may not have been the most favourable draw, but there's nothing fearful about this current Chelsea team; a bloated squad filled with players who don’t want to be there and a manager whose faux-pensive, quasi-motivational waffling management ‘style’ looks like it is already wearing thin. We've already taken 4 points off of them in the league. They're there for the taking.

Survival vs Trophies

There's been a lot of online discussions amongst Leeds fans about whether it's better to stay in the Premier League or win the FA Cup. Not that it has to be one or the other, but, frankly, it's an easy one for me: FA Cup all day long. Trophies last forever. And if we're not playing to win things, then what the fuck are we even doing here?